Word@Work Luke85 - Luke 6:25
Published: Tue, 04/20/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
WOE TO THE SATISFIED
Luke 6:25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. (NIV)
Prosperous people think that they have a right to as much food and merriment as they want. Others, are grateful to have enough for survival. In this verse, Jesus gives a stern warning about the dangers of a lifestyle ruled by comfort and pleasure - if you live for what you can get in this life, there is no future with God in eternity (Jesus tells a parable about this in Luke 16:19-31).
This is the second of Jesus' 'woes' to match the second 'blessing' (Luke 6:21); it is about the dangers of seeking bodily comfort and satisfaction in pleasure. Of course, Jesus is not intending every follower to be impoverished or miserable. Food and social enjoyment are part of God's common grace to us, but they must be received with thanksgiving; as His gift and not our right. This world is a very temporary place, and one day God will replace it with a perfect environment which will be suitable for eternity (Hebrews 1:10-12). Likewise, our life here is much shorter than most would like. It's purpose is to introduce us to the God who made us and prepare for an endless life with Him.
Those who ignore God's right over their lives, and spend their days indulging the flesh, have no good (or even neutral) eternal future. Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Such warnings are not intended to bind us in fear, but to urge us to change our beliefs, motivation, values ... and therefore, behaviour. However much we try to live differently, only those whose hearts are changed by the Holy Spirit's presence will see lasting fruits of character which will please God. But once you are saved, you have a great responsibility to ensure that your selfish passions are brought under the Lordship of Christ. When that happens, people at work and in the community will notice, and some will also want to seek the Lord you serve.
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for giving me enough in life so that I can learn to depend on You. Forgive me when I desire so much more and fail to be contented. I recognise my fleshly instinct to create the impression of security, by surrounding myself with things and people. May I learn not to rely on such things or run after them, but learn to commit myself wholly to You. Then I will be able to look ahead with confidence to the day when Jesus Christ returns to claim me as His own. And while I am on earth, may my attitudes and values witness to my colleagues, family and friends that I really do love You more than anything or anyone else. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Prosperous people think that they have a right to as much food and merriment as they want. Others, are grateful to have enough for survival. In this verse, Jesus gives a stern warning about the dangers of a lifestyle ruled by comfort and pleasure - if you live for what you can get in this life, there is no future with God in eternity (Jesus tells a parable about this in Luke 16:19-31).
This is the second of Jesus' 'woes' to match the second 'blessing' (Luke 6:21); it is about the dangers of seeking bodily comfort and satisfaction in pleasure. Of course, Jesus is not intending every follower to be impoverished or miserable. Food and social enjoyment are part of God's common grace to us, but they must be received with thanksgiving; as His gift and not our right. This world is a very temporary place, and one day God will replace it with a perfect environment which will be suitable for eternity (Hebrews 1:10-12). Likewise, our life here is much shorter than most would like. It's purpose is to introduce us to the God who made us and prepare for an endless life with Him.
Those who ignore God's right over their lives, and spend their days indulging the flesh, have no good (or even neutral) eternal future. Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Such warnings are not intended to bind us in fear, but to urge us to change our beliefs, motivation, values ... and therefore, behaviour. However much we try to live differently, only those whose hearts are changed by the Holy Spirit's presence will see lasting fruits of character which will please God. But once you are saved, you have a great responsibility to ensure that your selfish passions are brought under the Lordship of Christ. When that happens, people at work and in the community will notice, and some will also want to seek the Lord you serve.
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for giving me enough in life so that I can learn to depend on You. Forgive me when I desire so much more and fail to be contented. I recognise my fleshly instinct to create the impression of security, by surrounding myself with things and people. May I learn not to rely on such things or run after them, but learn to commit myself wholly to You. Then I will be able to look ahead with confidence to the day when Jesus Christ returns to claim me as His own. And while I am on earth, may my attitudes and values witness to my colleagues, family and friends that I really do love You more than anything or anyone else. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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